Cerebus: Church and State 1
Volume 1

After losing his status of Prime Minister, Cerebus becomes a high society house guest and meanders around from place to place. Weisshaupt has a place for him in the scheme of things. When others elevate him to the recently vacated office of Pope, assuming that he will be nothing more than a puppet, Cerebus once again tries to run the show and maintain his own power. Through it all, supernatural episodes continue to infringe upon Cerebus' everyday life, with no real explanation or source.
Introduces: Powers, Posey, Mrs. Henrot-Gutch, Bear, Boobah, Countess Michelle, Mrs. Tynsdale-Clyde and the Imposter Elf.

1414

Cerebus #51:
See Cerebus 0.
Cerebus debarks in Port Seprania, Seprania province, New Sepra. The ship must have been making a roundabout trip, since this is not on the way to Togith, but all three City-states are quite close at this point.

After Cerebus #51:
Priest Roach writes to Countess.
Weisshaupt creates Wolveroach, finishes getting signatures for United Feldwar States (Cerebus #54), and started published politically correct romance tracts to counter the growing Cirinist influence.
Pope Harmony II executed a week after Cerebus resigns (Cerebus #58).

Cerebus #52:
Cerebus tries to write his memoirs, entitled "On Governing", and drink in peace, but gets interrupted by various people, including two "cute" elves and Silverspoon, Lord Julius' son.
Cerebus is invited by Silverspoon to go visit the Countess Michelle Detin, and then teaches Cerebus to play the card game "Priestess."
When the Countess sends money and an invitation that stipulates Silverspoon can only come if Cerebus joins him, Cerebus arranges to leave Silverspoon behind.
At least two days pass, maybe more.

Cerebus #53:
The evening after, and the next day.
After ditching Lord Silverspoon, Cerebus spends time with the Countess in New Sepra to find that she's someone he likes, even if she is purposefully cryptic. Cerebus notes the fact that she will not reveal her alignments or affiliations.
Cerebus agrees to fix the Countess' tax problems. The Countess sends 500 crowns to get the Palnu "Directory of Tax Officials." Then she pushes Cerebus into a fountain as a joke. Lastly, the Countess' "Uncle Artemis" arrives - who turns out to be Wolveroach.

Cerebus #54:
That evening.
Michelle, the Countess, relates the story of the Roach's evolution, including how he ended up with Astoria - a completely different version than Astoria told.
The United Feldwar States are about to be created, and Weisshaupt (Cerebus #22) wants Cerebus to be Prime Minister again. It seems Weisshaupt has managed to get the agreements he needed to form the United Feldwar States.

Cerebus #55:
That night and the next morning.
Cerebus and Michelle start to clash as time moves forward. After a "meaningful conversation about smoking toothpicks with Cerebus, Cerebus goes off to work on his book. Wolveroach goes over the edge, deciding to challenge the New Sepran soldiers who are searching for him.

Cerebus #56:
The rest of that day.
Wolveroach takes care of the New Sepran soldiers, and then hides in the Countess' wine cellar. Cerebus is guided to the hiding spot by a voice in his head.
Professor Charles X. Claremont (Cerebus #25) reveals that his spirit is secretly living in the head of the Wolveroach for the past 10 months, and alludes to "plans" that require Cerebus leaving the Countess.
After behaving rudely to her and reassuring himself that she does not love him, Cerebus steals 1000 crowns and takes off.

After Cerebus #56:
Pope Harmony III is executed.
Jaka conceives a child.
Weisshaupt begins his term as President of the UFS.

Cerebus #57:
The next day, or more likely a few days later.
Cerebus awakens in Port Seprania to find himself married to Red Sophia. Weisshaupt soon claims responsibility for drugging Cerebus. Sophia confirms that the marriage has been "legitimized," at least twelve times. Weisshauptalso reveals that under new laws, he is the only one who can grant an annulment... so Cerebus will have to do his bidding: return as the Prime Minister of Iest. Cerebus must stay in office for "a few weeks ... maybe more."
Henrot is apparently already involved in "this messiah thing".

After Cerebus #57:
Weisshaupt publishes a tract "on the Hsifan invasion of 1414".
Lady of Palnu, by Victor Reid, is published. "For several weeks" (Reads) after that, Victor visits Zulli's studio to see Beth.
Around the same time ("some months ago" (Reads) after two more books have been written), he attends a literary dinner with Henry Wotton, who had "recently" attended a trade show (probably not the same show which Victor Reid goes to, as it is described as "Annual").

Cerebus #58:
Back in Iest. A few weeks later. Early summer.
Domestic difficulties. Blakely has come to dinner.
The Eastern Church is being oppressed by the Western.
Pope Harmony IV tells Cerebus that Weisshaupt has begun his grab for power and is using him as a pawn. When the Pope tips off that he is in fact a Cirinist and that Weisshaupt will lose against her, he is immediately executed by the "Lion of Serrea" - the western pontiff.
Also included: a food fight between Cerebus & Mrs. Henrot-Gutch.

Cerebus #59:
Cerebus' first "read" is out - a romance novel, and Cerebus himself is the talk of the town. Lord Julius sends congratulations to Cerebus, using Jaka as a secretary (presumably she is visiting him back in Palnu). In the meantime Cerebus continues writing his book "On Governing," sharing it with the Regency Elf. Cerebus goes about the daily grind, while Weisshaupt plays dangerous games with Bishop Powers.
The first meeting with Mrs. Tynsdale-Clyde. It does not go well.
A tree planting with Filgate and Mrs. Henrot-Gutch.

Cerebus #60:
Cerebus and Sophia have been together for at least "a few weeks". She talks at Cerebus for quite some time about their mutual unhappiness.
Mrs. Henrot-Gutch and Blakely have tea.
Astoria assesses Weisshaupt and Cirin for the Abbess.
Elf tries to tell a joke.
Theresa petitions Weisshaupt for a job.
Both Astoria and Theresa are suddenly advisors to people of power imediately following the Pope's death.

Cerebus #61:
Powers gets an inspiration.
The Henrot womens fear thunder.
Cerebus continues his memoirs and gets side-tracked into "how to beat Weisshaupt".
Mrs. Tynsdale-Clyde recounts her meeting with Cerebus (Cerebus #59).
Powers stumbles onto a method to beat Weisshaupt at his own game.
Weisshaupt shows Cerebus his "magic" he used to persuade Lord Julius to join the United Feldwar States.

Cerebus #62:
Theresa lectures to Weisshaupt on Astoria's past: Astoria was once the favorite of Cirin, and was in fact married to Cirin's adopted son, Sir Gerrik. Astoria is also the apparent founder of Kevillism.
Scorz the salesman, Lord Julius and Duke Leonardi show up to announce they don't like the way Weisshaupt is doing things.
Powers makes a surprise proposal: Cerebus is nominated as the new eastern pontiff. The exact "official" time when Cerebus takes office is not clear. Four weeks have passed since Weisshaupt took office (Cerebus #54-#57).

Cerebus #63 "Mind Game IV":
Just after Cerebus #62.
Cerebus has a conversation with himself, mostly debating on how much whiskey to drink. While complaining of a headache, stomachache, and aching eyes, someone says he's been nominated eastern Pontiff. Cerebus thinks, "And on top of everything else, Cerebus is hearing things."

Cerebus #64:
Next day.
Weisshaupt fails to intimidate Powers or Cerebus. Powers and Weisshaupt discuss Cerebus' appointment as Pope. Cerebus becomes aware that he now has some degree of leverage against Weisshaupt.
Mrs. Henrot-Gutch is hunting Blakely, threatening extreme physical damage.
Arch-Bishop Posey, "a limp-wristed pucker-faced sack of suet," gets his head bit off by Cerebus for the first of many times. Cerebus succeeds in intimidating every one except the weather.

Cerebus #65:
Later that day and early the next.
Cerebus moves to "to a hotel on the east wall" and has hired mercenaries (Bear and Boobah) as personal guards. He starts making his policies known.
Bishop Powers sends Posey back to Cerebus, knowing Cerebus is likely to kill him. Instead Cerebus "arranges" Posey's allegiance to Cerebus.
Cerebus pushes back against the wills of Powers and Weisshaupt, who had both assumed they could control him.
Most Holy, as Cerebus calls himself, goes to a room at the front of the hotel to make a speech to the crowd outside. He casually consigns the rooms occupant to an "eternity hip-deep in molten lead" on the way to the window. There he announces that if everyone gives up all their gold to him, he'll put in a good word with Tarim.
Then he sees a big round glowing white strange thing. Bran returns.
Roach overpowers Claremont sometime around here (Cerebus #81) and would seem to be at least somewhat under Weisshaupt's influence. (Cerebus #84, 86)

Cerebus #66:
Next day or maybe two days later? 15 days till the end of the world, then 13.
Cerebus announces the world will be destroyed "unless Tarim gets enough gold." Cerebus throws a baby into the crowd, and later plans to throw people out the window while giving a speech.
The powers that be (except Powers) discuss the effect Pope Cerebus is having. The banks put pressure on Weisshaupt to solve the problem.
Cerebus is visited by a strange and mysterious light.
Mrs. Henrot-Gutch is hunting for a guard who ate her dinner, and Bran MacMufin points the way for her.

AV in 3-D #1:
Cerebus has a dream.

Cerebus #67:
Next morning through T-10.
Boobah writes down everything he says, just in case he says something perfect.
Bran explains why the Pigt army never arrived during Cerebus' first reign as Prime Minister.
Cerebus describes his dream (AV in 3-D #1).
Astoria meets with the Cirinist Abbess in Iest.
Weisshaupt sees the President of the Bank of Iest take a dive from the third floor while in a meeting on the second floor.
Cerebus declares the people will suffer from burning nostril hairs if they don't add to the already huge pile of gold he has. Bran reveals a "miracle".

Cerebus #68:
Morning of T-7, thru the morning of T-5 (Cerebus #71).
Cerebus teaches the crowd a "valuable lesson" by kicking an old, crippled man off the roof. "One less mouth to feed is one less mouth to feed."
Bishop Powers is furious with the Western Pontiff's suggestions.
Weisshaupt is furious at the bankers' suggestions.
Cerebus catches a terrible cold. He decides it's time to go to bed when he punches Boobah, and Boobah doesn't even fall down. Mrs. Henrot-Gutch beats Cerebus to a pulp while he lies helpless in bed.
Weisshaupt shows up with cannons (his 'secret weapons') pointed straight at his residence, and demands that Cerebus give him ALL of Cerebus' gold. Cerebus says no.

Cerebus #69:
Still that morning.
Weisshaupt miscalculated his people's faith in the Pope, and Cerebus' willingness to use that influence. He makes an example out of Weisshaupt's officers and scares the crowds even further into submission.
Weisshaupt is about to bring about Cerebus' destruction himself when he suffers a heart attack.
Cerebus sees a big round glowing white strange thing again (Cerebus #66), hits it, then starts sneezing fire.
Getting some pepper he goes to visit Mrs. Henrot-Gutch. When Mrs. Henrot-Gutch gets wet instead of fried she beats Cerebus to a pulp with her cane.
The Regency Elf calls to Cerebus telepathically, telling him of a secret route to the Regency.

After Cerebus #69:
Weisshaupt sees the Countess not long after this (Cerebus #84). How he knew that Cerebus would need cannon (Cerebus #84) remains a mystery. Presumably he also arranged the matchbook (Cerebus #88) and the gold sphere (Cerebus #101) at this time.

Cerebus #70:
Same day.
Cerebus climbs to the Regency, talks to the "elf". She tells him that he must change his course of action since all of Iest will see him for a fraud when then world fails to end. Cerebus agrees, but he's realized it's not the real Regency Elf he's talking to.

Cerebus #71:
Still the same day.
Cerebus is talking with Bran, who is trying to convince Cerebus that all that is happening is Cerebus' destiny. Bran has some convincing evidence, including the fact that most of the gold coins Cerebus has collected are very old. matters. Bran shows Cerebus a coin in his loot that was supposedly "pressed by Tarim himself".
Bishop Powers negotiates the decision of who will replace Weisshaupt as President. Lord Julius shows up and manipulates Powers into thinking about taking the presidency for himself.

Cerebus #72:
Still the same day.
Julius continues to manipulate Bishop Powers. Eventually he gets what he wants, but is discouraged that it took nearly an hour to accomplish.
Cerebus orders the Red Marches conquered by the day after tomorrow (T-3). Bran knew the command was coming, but he didn't know which area was going to fall first.
Cerebus fights with Sophia, then picks up the gold coin forged by Tarim; upon doing so, other coins fly to his hand and start forming a gold sphere.

Cerebus #73:
Still the same day.
Sophia and her mother leave Cerebus. After Sophia leaves Cerebus decides to get drunk, but is interrupted by a big round glowing white sphere. It suggests that Cerebus fetch Jaka, who is in the lower city. He sends Bear to find her. Cerebus is quite surprised to learn that Jaka is now married. She was working as a dancer in the lower city, probably at the Dog and Thrush (Jaka's Story).

Cerebus #74:
Still the same day.
Jaka and Cerebus talk of their recent marriages and Sophia's departure, and recount the story of their first meeting (Cerebus #6). Cerebus divorces himself from Sophia. Jaka tells Cerebus she doesn't want to live with someone who has the power Cerebus does. Cerebus tears off his robes, and puts on his old vest. Cerebus says, "Cerebus is ready, Jaka... let's go."

Cerebus #75:
Still the same day (afternoon by now).
More angst with Jaka. Cerebus suggests they head north to live in the wilds alone. Jaka's comments that although she doesn't love her husband, she will have a baby in "a few months". She isn't showing her pregnancy at this time.
Bran announce that the Red Marches have been conquered, though only a few hours could have passed since the army (and Bran's note) left.
Jaka and Cerebus part again.

Cerebus #76:
Still the same day, evening.
Bishop Powers prays for a quick, but painful, death for Weisshaupt.
Cerebus visits Weisshaupt on his deathbed. He finds out that not only is Suenteus Po Weisshaupt's uncle, but that there are two other aardvarks in Estarcion. When Weisshaupt asks for absolution Cerebus tells him to go to Hell, and leaves. Weisshaupt lies alone, dying.

Cerebus #77 "Odd Transformations":
That night.
Cerebus returns from his meeting with Weisshaupt, falls asleep on his pile of gold. Cerebus dreams of his "mother," Jaka, and a host of other odd images. Cerebus stands among floating chess pieces. Cerebus wakes up and heads for his bedroom.

Cerebus #78 "Odd Transformations part two":
Later that night.
Another bizzarre dreamscape including surfing without the board, and featuring cameos by the Wolveroach, Elrod, the Apocalypse Beast, Jaka, Astoria, and Countess Michelle Detin. Cerebus wakes up to find the old farmer, Lord Stormsend (Cerebus #44), sitting on his bed.

Cerebus #79:
Early the next morning (T-4).
After breaking into the Papal Residence, Lord Storm'send tries to point out to Cerebus that the world will not exactly like him when his prophecy fails to come true.
Cerebus tries to have Bear throw him out, only to be plagued by Lord Julius and Duke Leonardi, who now works as Lord Julius' look-a-like.
Bear resigns.

Cerebus #80:
Sun-up, same morning.
Lord Storm'send tells Cerebus that he can still stop the insanity before it's too late, but is interrupted by Sophia (trying to explain her feelings) and then Lord Julius. Lord Julius explains "Tarim" wants to talk to Cerebus.
It seems that Thrunk the Golem (Cerebus #13) has arrived claiming to be Tarim. Cerebus runs to get Bran's advice, but Bran kills himself saying only "we've made a mistake". Cerebus refuses to surrender his gold. With the crowds on his side, Thrunk hurls Cerebus into the Lower City.
The farmer's cut-off statement may indicate that the mountain has already started to grow at this point.

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